from the executive director
In 2007, a group of like-minded stakeholders in Michigan decided the state needed an organization to be a convenor and voice for its signature industry. MICHauto was formed that year to promote, retain, and grow the industry right here in Michigan.
Today, MICHauto remains a unique leader, voice, and advocate for the automotive and mobility industry, which has transformed and now entwines with the tech and new energy economy sectors. The change that has occurred in the last decade, as well as the changes that lie ahead, will be immense.
Michigan must seize this strategic inflection point driven by sustainability and digitalization. Michigan must develop, retain, and attract the talent to grow for the future. Companies must evolve in an increasingly competitive global industry.
MICHauto has worked with the Granholm, Snyder, and now Whitmer administrations. All have embraced and come to understand the industry’s economic importance due in large part to MICHauto’s work. The MICHauto team intends to continue its mission and work for Michigan’s future.
MICHauto is a voice for the industry on policy, focused on developing talent from the Industry 4.0 factory and the connected vehicle to the Cloud. It is a champion for the growth and innovation that will ensure the state’s prosperous economic future.
This report is all about the numbers, assets, and initiatives that make Michigan the most unique ecosystem for mobility development and advanced manufacturing in the world. This is undeniably who we Michiganders are. And thanks to investors’ support, the MICHauto community will continue to carry the mission long into the future of the Great Lakes State.
Michigan’s people, ideas, and determination put the world on wheels and are leading in the next generation of mobility. Michigan is an ideal place where young minds, new thinking, and new ideas come to grow.
I hope you will find this information valuable, and always know that MICHauto is at work and focused on its mission for you.
Glenn Stevens jr. Executive Director, MICHauto Vice President, Automotive and Mobility Initiatives, Detroit Regional ChamberMICHauto is the state’s only automotive, mobility, and technology cluster association committed to promoting, retaining, and growing Michigan’s signature industry. It provides a platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to engage in advocacy, discuss industry priorities, improve the high-tech talent outlook, and create an innovation-friendly environment to support next-generation mobility developments.
MICHauto focuses on:
High-Tech Talent Advocacy Innovation Convening
“MICHauto remains a unique leader, voice, and advocate for the automotive and mobility industry, which has transformed and now entwines with the tech and new energy economy sectors. ”
BY THE NUMBERS
Industry Overview
$300 B +
mobility industry’s annual contribution to Michigan’s economy
26 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) located in Michigan
18 vehicle models built in Michigan, including 4 EV models, across 13 plants
98 of the 100 top automotive suppliers to North America have a presence in Michigan, with 65 headquartered here
6 out of the 18
Fortune 500 companies currently located in Michigan are engaged in the automotive and mobility industry
21% of all U.S. auto production occurred in Michigan in 2022
#1 state for auto production
Talent Advantage and Education Pipeline
#1
15% of North American auto production occurred in Michigan in 2022
Global Impact
#1
exporter of transportation equipment in the U.S.
in the nation for automotive manufacturing jobs, 6x higher than national average
#1 17
#1 state for OEM- and supplier-announced investments since 2018, capturing 21% of announced investments in the U.S. and totaling $28 billion
Testing and Deployments
#1
among states for concentration of engineers
#1
northern international border crossing
$61 b
in exports in Michigan in 2022, up 37% compared to 2020
universities and colleges with nationally ranked undergraduate engineering programs, and 5 offer nationally ranked graduate programs
8,455 engineering degrees awarded in 2021, with 35% being master’s degrees or higher $451 m or 17%, of Michigan’s higher education R&D is dedicated to engineering
Leading the Electric Future
#1
in EV- and battery-related announced investments by OEMs and suppliers
24th state in EV charging stations per capita, up from 32nd in 2021
40+ companies involved in the EV battery supply chain
Entrepreneurial Network
$1.2 b
23 rd
in total venture capital deals in 2022
in venture capital deals among states
Technology Assets
1 of only 5
U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO) in the nation is located in Detroit
#1
for operational U.S. Department of Transportation-funded connected vehicle deployments with 16 projects for business-funded automotive and mobility R&D, making up 67% of the nation’s shares with $13 billion in funding
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
GLOBAL OEM AND SUPPLY CHAIN DESTINATION
Michigan has a large presence of OEMs with headquarters, R&D facilities, or technical centers in the state, significantly contributing to the state’s economy and employment opportunities.
26
OEMs located in Michigan
98 of the top 100 automotive suppliers to North America have a presence in Michigan, with 65 headquartered here #1 in the Nation for vehicle production, producing over 1 million more vehicles in 2022 than the next highest state, Indiana. In 2022, over 2.1 million vehicles were assembled in Michigan, a 7% increase compared to 2018.
MICHIGAN MANUFACTURING
Michigan Plants Accounted for:
more than 21% of all U.S. automotive production, more than any state in the nation.
13
OEM assembly plants in Michigan, including 3 plants producing EV models
15% of all North American production.
18 models produced in Michigan in 2022, including 4 EV models: Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, Ford F -150 Lightning, and GMC EV Hummer Pickup
25
OEM components and material plants
Source: Automotive News Research & Data Center
GLOBAL IMPACT
Michigan’s shared international border with Canada is one of the largest export markets in the world, making Michigan one of the most globally connected states.
First Binational EV Corridor
Michigan and Canada’s first-of-its-kind binational EV corridor will stretch from Kalamazoo to Quebec City, Quebec, and feature direct current (DC) fast chargers approximately every 50 miles, letting drivers travel and charge worry-free. This 860-mile corridor will also create good-paying jobs and strengthen trade and manufacturing between the U.S. and Canada. This $110 million-investment in Michigan’s charging infrastructure was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
#1 #2
exporter of transportation equipment in the U.S.
$61
B 8th
exporter to Canada and #3 exporter to Mexico, with a combined $38B in goods
in goods were exported in 2022, up 37% compared to 2020
45%
largest state in the nation for exports in 2022
#1
of Michigan’s exports in 2022 were transportation equipment worth $27B
northern international border crossing in 2022
NEXT-GENERATION MOBILITY
Mobility is the production and distribution of goods and the provision of services that support any movement of people and products. As the industry leader over the past century, Michigan is at the helm of the shift to a more diverse mobility-focused, tech-forward industry.
Outdoor Recreation Mobility as a Service Public Transit
Consumer Vehicles
Emerging Mobility Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Shophouse Park in Marquette is an outdoor recreation incubator, R&D center, and technology park.
Polaris Inc., Electric Outdoors, and Snowbotix will establish a first-of-its-kind network of charging stations for electric off-road vehicles, solar-powered off-grid battery storage platforms, and all-electric, multi-utility robots for dangerous outdoor maintenance tasks.
Maritime
Michigan will have the first freshwater electric boat charging network in the U.S. through AQUA superPower rapid chargers.
Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge is a first-in-the-U.S. program to help companies electrify and decarbonize Michigan marines and watercraft
A zero-emission, electric-powered Mackinac Island passenger ferry is in development.
Defense
The U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren connects with organizations throughout Michigan.
Michigan State University and GVSC launched a $9 million mobility research initiative to advance autonomous ground vehicle research with Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
For three decades, GVSC has been involved with the annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition at Oakland University.
climate + sustainability
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of Climate and Energy developed the MI Healthy Climate Plan to pursue carbon neutrality, ensure economic competitivenesss, and improve quality of life. Highlights include:
Building infrastructure to support 2 million EVs on Michigan roads by 2030 and increase access to clean transportation options by 15% each year
Deploy new, cleaner manufacturing technologies and conduct R&D to reduce emissions from hard-to-decarbonize industries
leading the
ELECTRIc future
Powered by Michigan’s historic automotive culture and manufacturing strength, the state continues to lead in the transition to electrification. Michigan’s commitment to ensuring a skilled workforce and securing investments in EV and battery development is shaping the electric future.
33,100 4 1st 35
wireless public in-road EV charging system, located at Michigan Central
in EV- and battery-related announced investments by OEMs and suppliers since 2018, ranking #1 in the nation
EV models produced in Michigan, with 10+ EV models projected by 2025
EVs registered in Michigan in 2022, up 688% from 4,200 in 2018
Michigan ev investments
laws and incentives in Michigan related to alternative fuels and advanced vehicles
Major EV and Battery Investments Across Michigan Since 2020
Ford’s Blue Oval Battery Park
$3.5 Billion | Marshall | 2,500 Jobs
Our Next Energy (ONE) Battery Manufacturing Campus
#1 state for announced OEM and supplier investments, capturing over 21%, or $28B, of the $130.5B U.S. announced investments
General Motors and LGES Ultium Cells
$2.6 Billion | Lansing | 1,700 Jobs
Gotion
$2.3 Billion | Big Rapids | 2,350 Jobs
LG Energy Solution (LGES)
$1.7 Billion | Holland | 1,200 Jobs
$1.6 Billion | Van Buren Township | 2,112 Jobs
Toyota’s R&D Battery Lab
$50 Million | York Township
UL Solutions N.A. Battery Lab
$72 Million | Auburn Hills | 61 Jobs
OEM and Supplier Announced Investments, 2018-2023
top 3
Source: Center for Automotive Research, CAR Book of Deals, July 2023, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
40+
state to lead EV battery manufacturing by 2030, with 97-136 GWh of EV battery capacity to be produced in Michigan, supporting 10 to 13M EVs per year companies involved in the EV battery supply chain in Michigan
michigan ev charging infrastructure
EV Charging Stations by Region
Michigan has witnessed an 89% increase in EV charging stations between 2018 and 2022, up 38% since 2021. To better facilitate the transition, Michigan aims to develop 100,000 EV chargers, supporting 2 million EVs on Michigan roads, by 2030.
1,250+ publicly accessible charging stations
2,900+ publicly accessible charging ports
24th ranking in public EV charging stations per capita, up from 32nd in 2021
Note: Data accessed 6/21/23. Map includes DC Fast and Level 2 Chargers. Source: The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, U.S. Energy Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center
Michigan Voter Poll: Electrification
The Chamber has partnered with premier research firm Glengariff Group, Inc. on an ongoing series of statewide polls with registered Michigan voters. The March 2023 poll revealed disparate views on electrification and provided a preliminary opportunity to track future EV sentiment.
Shift From Gas-Powered to Electric Vehicles
46.4% of voters
In addition, 57.9% of Michigan voters support investment in charging station infrastructure for EVs
When asked why,
19.6% do not believe that the electric grid can handle it
18.4% say it is too expensive
13.3% do not believe Michigan has the infrastructure for it
EV Infrastructure Programs
Charge Up Michigan
A grant-funded EV charger placement project to build DC fast-charging stations across Michigan to ensure feasible long-distance trips to neighboring states and Canada.
DTE Charging Forward and Consumers Energy Power MI Fleet
Utility programs that encourage and facilitate EV adoption through rebates and incentives for business, commercial, and residential customers.
Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour
A partnership between Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin that will build a network of EV chargers along 1,100 miles of Lake Michigan’s drivable shoreline.
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI)
Formula Program
Michigan will receive $110 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build EV charging infrastructure through 2026 along Michigan’s designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (EV Corridors).
michigan ev talent landscape
Chamber EV Talent Programs
Other Industry EV Talent Programs
MICHauto leads several high-tech talent attraction and retention efforts including the Chamber’s Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative, a cross-sector initiative that elevates community colleges’ role in improving the Region’s talent pipeline.
Another is Let’s Detroit, which attracts and retains young talent in the Region and cultivates an innovative, engaged, and culture-focused business community.
The EV Jobs Academy is an employer-led collaborative of over 100 partners working together to strengthen and upskill Michigan’s EV and mobility workforce, including the Southeast Michigan Mobility Talent Collaborative led by the Detroit Regional Chamber and MICHauto.
Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) is a coalition led by the Detroit Regional Partnership Foundation that will support six projects designed to accelerate economic growth by building on the Region’s mobility assets.
Supported by $52.2 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Talent Action Teams coordinate with Michigan employers, education leaders, and training providers to make the state a leader in talent solutions and growth.
TALENT and EDUCATION
Michigan Ranks: Automotive Manufacturing Jobs
#1
in the nation for automotive manufacturing jobs
176,769
automotive manufacturing jobs in 2022
6x
higher than the national average
Michigan’s mobility industry totaled an economic output of $304 billion in 2019. More than 1.1 million jobs are tied to the industry, representing almost 20% of Michigan employment.
In 2022, 1 million people across the state were skilled trades workers, including over 108,000 highly skilled assemblers and fabricators producing the world’s most complex and highly technical mobility products.
TALENT SUPPLY
Michigan Ranks #1 in the Employment and Concentration of:
Mechanical Engineers
31,950 = 4x National Average Industrial Engineers
26,410 = 3x National Average
Tool and Die Makers
9,610 = 5x National Average
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
7,970 = 7x National Average
Model Makers, Metals, and Plastics
870 = 9x National Average
Source: Lightcast
Michigan Ranks #1 in the Nation for Concentration of Engineers
97,210
engineers in Michigan’s workforce
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Lightcast
TALENT DEMAND
Michigan’s High-Demand and High-Wage Occupations by 2030 60.9%
Michigan’s EV shift may create up to 300,000 new, high-paying jobs by 2030. According to Michigan’s “Hot 50 Job Outlook,” these examples closely impact the automotive industry.
In-Demand
Mobility-Related
Occupations
Truck Drivers
Software Developers
Production Workers
Mechanical Engineers
Industrial Engineers
Talent Programs
In-Demand
Mobility-Related
Skills
New Product Development
Computer Science
Marketing
Electrical Engineering
Automation
Michigan’s labor force participation rate, ranking 39 th among states
50.5%
of working-age adults earned credentials of value beyond high school, ranking 37th among states in the U.S. for mobility-related job postings
5th
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, Lightcast, Lumina Foundation, U.S. Census Bureau
Detroit Reconnect provides adults ages 25-64 free institution-neutral college and career navigation and wrap-around support to and throughout college. Part of the Chamber’s Detroit Drives Degrees program, Detroit Reconnect has served over 300 adults since 2019.
Michigan Reconnect allows adult learners to pursue an associate degree or skill certification at any Michigan public community college through free in-district tuition or a sizeable discount for out-of-district. There have been 116,362 Michigan Reconnect applicants since May 2023.
The Going PRO Talent Fund creates awards for employers to train, develop, and retain current and newly hired employees. In 2022, $36.5 million was awarded to 1,114 employers who trained 14,448 new hires and upskilled 12,188 workers.
TalentFirst is a catalyst of over 100 chief executive officers attracting, developing, and retaining talent by highlighting gaps and implementing leading practices within 13 West Michigan counties.
Talent Diversity
Michigan’s automotive manufacturing workforce is relatively diverse compared to the total workforce demographics, but certain occupations closely associated with the industry lack representation.
For example, the share of Black or African American workers in engineering occupations is notably lower (5%) compared to the overall automotive manufacturing industry (22%). Black or African American workers are overrepresented in assembler and fabricator occupations, with an average salary of $37,357 compared to the median engineer salary of $101,067.
Over a Third
of automotive manufacturing jobs are fulfilled by racially diverse workers, compared to less than a quarter of the jobs across the total workforce
Note: Percentage may not total 100 due to rounding
Source: Lightcast
Women Make Up a Third of the Automotive Industry
Despite representing half of Michigan’s overall workforce, women are underrepresented in the automotive industry, at only 29% of its workforce.
The Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion, and Advancement (CADIA) promotes diversity and inclusion in the automotive industry by providing tools, networks, and insights to companies.
Formed in 2020 and currently led by MICHauto, CADIA, and NDIA, the Coalition is a cross-industry executive group focused on growing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and metrics across the state.
EDUCATION PIPELINE
125,710
total degrees and certificates awarded by state educational institutions in 2021
8,455 engineering degrees awarded by educational institutions in 2021, with 35% being master’s degrees or higher
17
universities and colleges nationally ranked undergraduate engineering programs and 5 nationally ranked graduate programs
Top 10 Engineering Institutions
Institution
Universit y of Michigan
Michigan Technological Universit y
Michigan St ate University
Universit y of Michigan
Wayne St ate Universit y
Oakland Universit y
Kettering Universit y
Western Michigan Universit y
Lawrence Technological University
Grand Valley St ate Universit y
Source: The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH LEADERSHIP
University Research Corridor
Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC) is one of the nation’s top academic research clusters and is a leading force in the state for talent production, academic research, and economic revitalization. The URC is an alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University — Michigan’s three leading research institutions.
$2.7 B in annual higher education R&D, ranking 11th in the nation
$20.6 B
URC total economic impact with 139,600 students enrolled and $1.3 billion in research spending in 2021
$1.5 M URC alumni worldwide with 712,000 graduates residing in Michigan
8th in the nation for doctorate recipients
$451 m or 17% of Michigan’s higher education R&D is dedicated to engineering
Source: National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, 2021
#1 in the U.S. for undergraduate degrees in high-demand mobility fields; URC granted over 14,800 in 2020
$542.2 M spent on R&D at URC institutions since 2015
Source: University Research Corridor Economic Impact Report, 2022
MAJOR HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTERS
Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center’s autonomous vehicle testing track is the only one of its kind on a college campus in the country. The outdoor lab space and proving grounds enhance autonomous vehicle R&D, vehicle safety standards, and EV technology.
Michigan Tech advances new technology and sustainability solutions on campus at the Keweenaw Research Center, Great Lakes Research Center, Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, and the Michigan Tech Research Institute in Ann Arbor. They received $8 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance technologies to reuse and recycle EV batteries.
The Rockwell Automation/McNaughton-McKay Electric Co. I4.0 Robotics and Industrial Automation Laboratory uses the Internet of Things to reshape manufacturing. The Lawrence Tech Transportation Institute finds cost-effective and resource-efficient ways to maintain national transportation infrastructure.
The University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center will boost public and private R&D, train workers, and develop EV batteries and pilot technology with automakers, suppliers, and startups. This new center will join other research facilities like Mcity, Battery Lab, and the Transportation Research Institute.
MSU Mobility has conducted $75 million in autonomous and connected vehicle R&D in the past five years, with nearly 50 experts and researchers working across seven MSU colleges designing integrated communication and control systems for automated vehicles.
Community College Mobility Centers
The WSU Connected and Autonomous Driving Lab (CAR Lab) realizes the vision of connected and autonomous driving by designing and implementing technologies like edge computing, communication systems, data analytics, privacy-preserving models, and more.
Transportation Design Program
Advanced Transportation Center
18
Center for Advanced Automotive Technology
Michigan community colleges and universities offer alternative fuels and hybrid EV courses
The College for Creative Studies is a globally recognized design institution with STEM-designated transportation design programs. Graduates work on industry-leading and mobility-forward design while applying skills related to forms and materials, functionality, and engineering.
K-12 Education Pipeline
Discover Auto, a talent attraction program led by MICHauto, in partnership with Square One Education Network and Project Lead the Way, connects high school students with automotive and mobility companies to learn about industry job opportunities.
8 participating automotive-led companies
300+ students engaged since launch
FIRST® prepares young people for the future through inclusive, team-based robotics programs. FIRST® Robotics Competition combines STEM learning with the fun and competition of traditional sports while promoting skills in engineering.
2,000+ students participating in Michigan
Michigan ranked #1 among states for the number of FIRST® robotics competition teams
National MFG Day introduces students to in-demand careers in modern manufacturing and skilled trades.
15,000+ students have participated in Macomb County’s Manufacturing Day since 2014, with 50 host sites offering tours in 2022
6,400 students, 25 local manufacturers, and six postsecondary institutions in Monroe and Wayne counties engaged in tours and presentations in 2021
The Square One Education Network provides STEM learning opportunities for the students and teachers of Square One Nation and builds the high-tech talent supply chain for postsecondary industry partners.
743 completed challenges
85 schools involved
2023 Industry Perception study
MICHauto partnered with Lambert, a Michigan-headquartered public relations agency, to conduct a study of youth and their adult influencers to capture their perceptions of the automotive and mobility industry.
key takeaways
Youth
Michigan youth are 3x more likely to highly consider a career in the automotive and mobility industry than youth surveyed overall
Adult Influencers
2 out of 3
youth rate the automotive and mobility industry as better than most or excellent in salary
EVs
7 out of 10
adult influencers believe it is an attractive career field for young adults entering the workforce, compared to 5 out of 10 youth
71% of youth consider work-life balance a challenge for the industry
71%
good, very good
okay, very poor, or terrible
Michigan and Detroit are behind California as the perceived leader in developing electric vehicles among youth but slightly ahead among adult influencers
of youth perceive Michigan as leading the national EV development race
at michauto.org or scan the QR code.
56%
39% of adult influencers consider Michigan the leader
entrepreneurial network
Detroit Named the Top Emerging Startup Ecosystem in the World
Through its vast network of accelerators and venture capital firms, Michigan’s well-developed startup community ensures the technologies solving the world’s mobility-related challenges are being created and developed in the state.
Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report named Detroit the top emerging startup ecosystem globally, jumping 13 spots from the previous year.
$1.2 B venture capital deals in 2022
in total venture capital deals in 2022 – the highest funding in the past 10 years
Innovation Collaboration
Mobility Meetups
24 23rd 193
in venture capital deal value among states
7
angel investors helped fund mobility startups
venture capital firms funded mobility technology startups
NewLab and Michigan Central
66 university partners and economic development organizations provide support for mobility startups
Hosted by MICHauto, the MEDC Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), and Plug and Play Detroit, Mobility Meetups are designed to bring together dynamic startups in the automotive technology space with industry stakeholders to connect, share, and collaborate.
Michigan SmartZones
Twenty SmartZones throughout the state provide collaboration hubs between university institutions, municipalities, community organizations, and companies to promote innovation and increase jobs and investment in technology-based businesses.
Catalyzed by a $950 million investment by Ford Motor Company, Newlab’s partnership with Michigan Central will accelerate the development, scale, and adoption of critical technologies while connecting entrepreneurs and engineers with industry and government.
Plug and Play Detroit powered by AmplifyD
In partnership with Stellantis, the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, MEDC, and BorgWarner, this innovation hub involves businesses directly with startup technologies to generate pilot projects, proofs of concept, and strategic partnerships.
Plug and Play Detroit has accelerated over 60 startups and over 13 innovation partners
Testing and Deployment Landscape
Michigan’s assets, like original equipment manufacturers, assembly plants, supply chains, proving grounds, and transportation hubs, provide a conducive testing, development, and innovation ecosystem for electrification and emerging mobility sectors like aerial, outdoor, and maritime.
mobility funding programs
Michigan Mobility Funding Platform
Accelerates investments that create safer, more equitable, and environmentally conscious transportation for Michigan residents and companies.
Michigan Mobility Wallet Challenge
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) aims to increase the interoperability of transit services and create greater access and equity to personal mobility for Michigan residents.
Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge
This first-of-its-kind program allows companies to apply for grant assistance to decarbonize and electrify marinas and watercraft statewide creating a blueprint for ports and harbors across North America.
#1
for operational U.S. Department of Transportation-funded connected vehicle deployments with 16 projects
nearly 6,000 500 miles of connected and automated equipped roadways and 120 miles of technolgyenabled smart corridors statewide
Intelligent Transportation Systems devices statewide maintained and operated by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
michigan’s automobility assets
Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry encompasses more than just major automakers. The MICHauto Automobility Asset Map highlights over 300 locations and businesses that are active contributors to the industry, including OEMs, assembly plants, suppliers, proving grounds, entrepreneur resources, universities, deployments, and electrification assets.
view the map at michauto.org/automobility-asset-map or scan the QR code.
400+ assets that are active contributors to the automobility industry
98 of the 100 top automotive suppliers to North America
16 U.S. Department of Transportation-funded deployment projects
10 deployments focused on aerial and maritime mobility
40+ EV battery supply chain companies
14 proving grounds
26 OEMs
55+ public and private deployment partnerships
TECHNOLOGY Landscape
1 of 5
U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO) in the nation
6th top 10 state 6th
in the nation for number of inventors, with 6,747 patents granted in 2021
in the nation by growth in job postings for tech occupations
#1
for new tech business establishments in 2022
in the nation for business-funded automotive and mobility R&D, making up 67% of the nation’s shares with $13 billion in funding in 2020
Source: CompTIA State of Tech Workforce | Cyberstates 2023, United States Patent and Trademark Office, National Science Foundation
Hydrogen Fuel Technology
Collaboration and connections with peer industries have ensured Michigan continues to lead in technological advancement, like hydrogen fuel.
The manufacturer of hydrogen transport trailers is opening a first-of-its-kind hydrogen hub at the American Center for Mobility in Michigan, installing prefab hydrogen units capable of pumping 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen per day.
mining expertise
The Norwegian hydrogen company will invest $400 million and create 500 clean energy manufacturing jobs in a new automated gigawatt electrolyser manufacturing facility in Michigan.
As the electrification of vehicles grows, the need for a well-developed and secure domestic supply chain of critical minerals used in EV batteries has increased. Michigan’s copper and iron ore have been mined for over a century, and Michigan’s mining expertise has become increasingly important in this transition.
Eagle Mine, the only operating nickel mine in the U.S., and Michigan Tech received $8.1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to research technologies that develop sustainable processes to supply critical minerals for EV battery manufacturing. Another $2.5 million was awarded to help mines achieve net zero emissions while extracting critical minerals from mine tailings, the by-product of mining.
Getman Corporation has been a global supplier of American mining equipment for over 65 years in Bangor. Offering a wide range of underground mining solutions like electric mining equipment, Getman designs equipment to keep miners safe.
Michigan’s manufacturers are revolutionizing manufacturing, new technologies, and product distribution, including advanced robotics, AI and machine learning, additive manufacturing (3D), and smart sensors.
Additive Manufacturing (3D)
The U.S. Army opened the Advanced Manufacturing Commercialization Center in Sterling Heights to house the Army’s Jointless Hull subsection tool, a hybrid metal additive manufacturing machine used for engineering development and production.
Artificial Intelligence
The University of Michigan’s Artificial-Intelligence (AI) Laboratory provides a venue for a community of AI leaders to collaborate through the AI Partners Program. The lab includes 20 core AI faculty, nearly 100 Ph.D. students, and $7 million in annual research expenditures. The annual AI Symposium brings academia and industry together to focus on real-life applications of AI.
Cybersecurity
Automation Alley received $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response to create a Cybersecurity Center at Oakland University to research avenues to predict, detect, and repair cyberattacks, train workforce, and partner with government and industry entities to support threat sharing.
16,000 cybersecurity job openings in Michigan in 2023, up from 8,700 in 2019
Source: CyberSeek
Robotics defense
The organizations below support the U.S. Army’s Soldier and ground systems research and development, acquisition, contracting, logistics, and sustainment are located at the Detroit Arsenal in Michigan.
Michigan is home to global leaders in the robotics industry, including headquarters for KUKA Systems North America, FANUC U.S., and ABB North American Robotics.
The Automate Conference in Detroit, hosted by Michigan’s Association for Advancing Automation, set record attendance in 2023, with more than 30,000 registrants and 750 exhibitors.
39.5% of manufacturing employees in Michigan are exposed to robots, the greatest share of any state
18.5% of manufacturing plants have robots
$442M capital expenditures for industrial robotic equipment, leading the nation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Annual Survey of Manufactures, Experimental Data Product, 2019
Accelerators Advancing Adoption of i4.0 Technologies
Jackson, Michigan Lawrence Technological University Southfield, Michigan
Michigan is also the home of defense industry primes such as AM General LLC, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, Navistar Defense, and Rheinmetall Defense Inc., that ensure the nation’s defenders have the best and latest equipment and technology.
autoMOBILITY
michigan’s ECOSYSTEM
Culture
Talent
#1 for automotive manufacturing jobs
#1 for concentration of engineers
Education
8 th in the nation for higher education R&D
125,700+ total degrees and certificates awarded annually
Technology and Innovation
Top OEMs and Suppliers
26 OEMs located in Michigan #1 for vehicle production
Electric Vehicles
$20B+ in EV and battery-related announced investments by OEMs and suppliers since 2018, ranking #1 in the nation
#1 for business-funded automotive and mobility research and development
89% increase in EV charging stations since 2018
Deployments and Testing
#1 for operational U.S. Department of Transportation-funded connected vehicle deployment with 16 projects
Entrepreneurial Network
$1.2B in total venture capital deals in 2022 –the highest funding in the past 10 years
Defense
DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)
U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)
Global Impact
1 st binational EV corridor
#1 northern international border crossing
U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Legislative Priorities
Enhancing education and workforce opportunities
Growing Michigan’s vibrant mobility ecosystem
Rebuilding the domestic supply chain
Strengthening transportation infrastructure and safety
Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
Promote. Retain. Grow.
As Michigan’s only automotive, mobility, and technology cluster association, MICHauto provides a platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to engage in advocacy, build awareness, increase access to talent, and foster next-generation mobility.
About the cover artist
The artwork featured on this publication’s cover was created by student illustrator Allison Poth in partnership with